Advertisement

Updated April 29th, 2020 at 21:15 IST

PM Modi assures farmers of effective relief measures being taken by govt amid lockdown

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday assured farmers across the country that the government is taking steps to help their interests

Reported by: Digital Desk
PM Modi
| Image:self
Advertisement

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday assured farmers across the country that the government is taking steps to help their interests, adding that the country is proud of them. This comes after the Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar announced that the government has transferred Rs 17,986 crores to the farmers amid the Coronavirus pandemic. Addressing the media on Wednesday, the agriculture minister also assured of good produce this year on the back of the normal rainfall as predicted. 

READ | Lockdown: Centre Has Taken These Four Steps To Ease Burden On Farmers

The Agriculture Ministry has estimated yet another record foodgrain production of 298.3 million tones for 2020-21, which the Minister said will be met. However, there are concerns on whether the farmers will find buyers for their produce amid the Coronavirus lockdown.

READ | Mizoram Govt Distributes Free Seeds Among Farmers To Boost Local Production

Narendra Tomar said that the government has so far procured 11.7 million tones of wheat, 1.8 million tonnes of rice and five lakh tonnes of pulses and added that the procurement has been smooth and will remain so. "This year we are going to exceed our estimates. Focus on summer crops has resulted in an area sown of 57.07 lakh hectares this year against 41.31 lakh hectares last year. We are estimating production of 313 million tonnes from the horticulture sector in 2019-20," he said.

READ | Gujarat: Farmer Distributes 400 Kg Vegetables For Free In Dahod Village Amid Lockdown

17,986 crore sent to farmers since March 24

The Agriculture minister further informed that under the PM KISAN scheme, the Centre has transferred Rs.17,986 crore to farmers since March 24 through direct benefit transfer. He said more credit facility has been opened for farmers through various government schemes like the Kisan Credit Card and social protection under a farm insurance scheme.

READ | Lockdown: 69 Akola Farmer Groups Sell Produce Worth Rs 8.5 Cr

"Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) has benefited farmers immensely even during this Coronavirus crisis as the Department of Agriculture has transferred Rs. 17,986 crore to farmers since March 24. Till date, 9.39 crore farmer families have been benefitted and amount od Rs. 71,000 crore has been transferred," Minister Narendra Tomar said.

Advertisement

Published April 29th, 2020 at 21:15 IST

Your Voice. Now Direct.

Send us your views, we’ll publish them. This section is moderated.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Whatsapp logo